Aceh

Aceh is a special territory (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Its full name is Naggroe Aceh Darussalam. It is thought to have been in Aceh where Islam was first established in Southeast Asia.

In the early sevententh century the Sultanate of Aceh was the most wealthy, powerful and cultivated state in the Malacca Straits region. Aceh has a history of political independence and fierce resistance to control by outsiders, including the former Dutch colonists and the Indonesian goverment.

Aceh has substantial natural resources, including oil and gas - some estimates put Aceh gas reserves as being the largest in the world. Relatively, to most  Indonesia, it is a religiously conservative area.  

Cities

Banda Aceh

Around 150,000 people were killed in Banda Aceh in the Tsunami of 26 December 2004. Some parts of the city became permanently submerged. Many aid agencies have been present since then to help rebuild.

The long conflict between the Acehnese independence movement (GAM) and the Indonesian army (TNI) has been solved for the time being by the peace agreement on 15 August 2005. The peace process has been quite smooth since. On 11 December 2006 the province held its first direct and democratic local elections. On 8 February 2007 the first democratically elected Governor, Irwandi Yusuf, was inaugurated

Simpang Lima Banda Aceh

Kutacane

Kutacane is a town in Aceh province of Indonesia and it is the seat (capital) of Southeast Aceh Regency. Kutacane is known as the main gate to the Gunung Leuser National Park.

A fairly big city with about 100 000 inhabitans built next to the main road going through the north Sumatra. It is a place where people, roads and transportations meets.

Leuser Mount At Kutacane

Takengon

Takengon is a town in Aceh. Lies in the heart of Gayo Highlands, deep in the interior of Aceh, this is coffee country is cool and pleasant all year long. The scenery consists of beautiful Lake Laut Tawarwith marvelous mountains covered in mist. Takengon can be used as an alternative route from Banda Aceh to Medan, and vice versa.Inhabited by Gayo pople, about 250,000 of them, who lived an isolated existence until the advent of modern roads and transports.

Takengon is a remote town in the middle of the north Sumatra highlands. It is famous for its fish and coffee and for being close to the beautiful Laut Tawar Lake, which is well worth a visit. Some people consider the lake being one of the highlights in northern Sumatra with its charming fishing villages and clear mountain water. Also Takengon as a city is a relaxing place to be, consisting of a small but lively city center with a huge market selling all kind of goods. Due to the remote location of the city there are few tourists which means that the standard of the hotels is typcial indonesian.

Notice that Takengon is a part of the partly sharia law governed Aceh-province. Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited.

Laut Tawar Lake

Attractions

Banyak Islands

The Banyak Islands (sometimes spelled Banjak Islands) are a group of sparsely inhabited islands located between Simeulue and Nias off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia's Aceh Province, consisting of 99 small land masses. The largest island in the group is Tuangku (Great Banyak), with the principal town of Alaban. Two other major islands located either side of Tuangku are Bangkaru and Ujung Batu. Tuangku is separated from Bangkaru by a fault line.

Banyak Islands are a group of tiny islands in Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, primarily visited on surfing charters.

Surf At Banyak Island

Lhoknga

Located just 15 km from Banda Aceh, you find the quiet beaches of Lhok Nga (sometimes pronounced Lhonga) and Lampuuk. These are perfect for those wanting to visit Banda Aceh, while avoiding the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Lhok Nga is said to offer the best surfing, and Lampuuk to have the best beaches for swimming and basking in the sun. However, as the two are 30 minutes walk apart, and it's hard to tell where one beach stops and the other starts, it doesn't make much difference where you opt to sleep.

Meulaboh

Meulaboh is a remote city in Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located about 175 km southeast of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province. Meulaboh is among the hardest hit areas by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Lhoknga Beach

Ketambe

Ketambe is a small, quiet and remote city in the most south of Aceh. In the 1970's the Indonesian government tried to increase its influence in the region by building a hotel facility and making it an official entrance to the Gunung Leuser National Park. Ketambe is besides this a small but charming village, worth a visit to both go trekking and to just relax for a day or two.

Ketambe River

Notice that Ketambe is located in Aceh which is partly governed by muslim sharia laws. Show respect for that by for example not using drugs or alcohol in public.

Weh Island

Sabang is a town name on an island north of Banda Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra. Strictly speaking, the island's name is Weh Island (Pulau Weh) and Sabang is the main town on the north coast, but the names are often used interchangeably. Among locals the place is more often referred to as "Sabang" but among tourists it is well known as "Pulau Weh". The island is best known for its snorkelling and diving.

Weh Island

Diving At Weh Island

Get In

By plane

Banda Aceh is now a visa-on-arrival entry point. There are two direct international flights to Banda Aceh. Air Asia offers flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, while Firefly connects four times a week from Penang. Prices of tickets range from 15 to 70 USD. Indonesian consulates and embassies abroad also issue 60 day tourist visas.

Domestically, there are daily flights between Jakarta and Banda Aceh by Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air via Medan and Sri Wijaya. Sri Wijaya is the cheapest but Lion Air and Garuda fly generally newer aircraft.

By bus

The road from Medan to Banda Aceh are now reasonable. Especially the express night buses from Medan 10 hours,200 000 IDR are a good deal. Non express day and night buses are cheaper (150 000 IDR) and take longer 12-14 hours.

By boat

The Ferry from Penang to Langsa with a capacity of 138 passengers commences operation from the 21st of February and costs RM 180 return .

Get Around

There is no need for travel permits anymore in Aceh. Taxis, rental cars and motor taxis are available in Banda Aceh.

Cuisine

Arab, Persian, and Indian traders influenced food in Aceh although flavours have changed to be little like their original form. Amongst these are curry dishes known askare or gulai, which are rich, coconut-based dishes traditionally made with beef, goat, fish or poultry, but are now also made with tofu, vegetables, and jackfruit. Popular Acehnese food includes roti cane and mie aceh.

New restaurants and seafood stalls are popping up all the time in the local Lhoknga and lampuuk seaside areas of Banda Aceh as the local economy develops.

Ayam Tangkap

Mie Aceh

Tourism Office

Jl. Jend. A. Yani No.107, Medan. 20111
Phone. (061) 4538101, 4520559, 4524908 Fax. (061) 4528436
www.northsumatratourism

Further information about Sumatra tourism is available from the Sumatra Tourism Board.